Send us a message

Our Topic

“I have no idea what I’m doing.”

When a new technology arrives there is a period of time in which there are no experts. The technology is so fresh and new even enthusiasts don’t know what to do with it (remember when the iPad came out?) This creates a unique opportunity for people of all skill levels to to create new things with the technology and get exposure for their work.

Being an early creator on a new platform can be an exciting experience that offers the potential for substantial rewards. From software platforms like iOS and Android to content platforms like YouTube and Vimeo and even creative markets like Etsy and Shapeways. Creators in early markets have advantages that can help propel their success.

However taking on early markets comes with substantial risks and countless challenges that can test even the most seasoned veterans. How do you answer questions that Google doesn’t know the answer to? How do you design for a piece of hardware you don’t actually have? How do you make decisions when you have no idea what you’re doing and there is no one to follow?

In this talk I will explore the challenges of working on emerging technologies and platforms through a retelling my experiences working on early iPhone and iPad apps. Through these stories I will share key lessons I learned as well as specific tactics that can be applied to work of all forms.

Our Presenter, Josh Michaels

Josh Michaels is an independent app developer and software artist based in Portland, Oregon. Josh spends most of his time working on his app series “Magic Window” which brings beautiful views from around the world to the iPad, iPhone, and Mac.